All Posts By Maria Russo

Maria Russo is an editor at Food Network, now living in New York City after being born and raised in the great state of Michigan. She likes her eggs runny, her pasta cheesy and has been known to throw back dozens of oysters at a time.

Here’s the thing about burgers: Even when they’re dressed down, with just a juicy patty and a slice of gooey cheese, they’re pretty satisfying. Extremely satisfying, actually. But when you dress them up with bold ingredients, the flavors and textures are intensified, making them all the more craveworthy. On this morning’s brand-new episode of The Kitchen, the cast showed off two new takes on burgers — one classic and the other creative. Both of them will keep you coming back for more all summer long. See below how the co-hosts did it.

It was only last week that the Food Network Star finalists, in the competition for all of a few minutes, received the first of many surprises when Martita, a former finalist and the winner of Comeback Kitchen, joined the cast. And this week they're ...

Last month FN Dish introduced you to Lee Brian Schrager, the man behind two of the most-famed food and wine festivals in the country, and his latest cookbook, America’s Best Breakfasts: Favorite Local Recipes from Coast to Coast. This brand-new book boasts sweet and savory picks — think hearty dishes like Graham Cracker Waffles and Tortilla de Papas — from little-known eateries and regional hot spots alike. “We really wanted to have not only something that was for the home cook, … [but] something that was a little unique and different from their regular recipe that they could gather anywhere,” he told us.

On Saturday, Schrager will join the cast of The Kitchen to introduce the co-hosts to his book and show off a wake-up-worthy pizza that’s ideal for breakfast (eggs and bacon toppings, anyone?). Tune in on Saturday (at 11a|10c) to see the group in action; in the meantime, read on below to find out how you can get your hands on a copy of America’s Best Breakfasts.

After three weeks of hard-fought competition on Comeback Kitchen, Martita, a Season 8 finalist, earned the right to join the cast of Food Network Star, Season 12 and kick off yet another journey to Stardom. Just when her would-be rivals were leas...

A no-nonsense first challenge, a surprise 13th finalist and a pan set ablaze in the kitchen — Sunday's Food Network Star premiere was full of flare-ups and near meltdowns that kept the competitors guessing at every turn. But while the action was un...

If you’ve just about had it with your usual salad routine of lettuce and dressing, it’s time to dress up your greens with one hearty, satisfying addition: falafel. Made with bold spices and mashed chickpeas, falafel are golf-ball-size rounds that boast all the heft of meat in your salad, without the actual meat.

Martita, 39 (San Diego), showcased her talent on Season 8 of Food Network Star. She began working in her family’s restaurant business at a young age, with her mom’s authentic Mexican home cooking inspiring her culinary passion. Martita's parents ...